jwilliamson@npr.orgNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94From the opinions of global newsmakers to listeners...personal experiences of life-changing travel...the wisdom of renowned thinkers, activists and spiritual leaders...and intimate dispatches of daily life around the world from NPR News correspondents on the ground...the NPR talk show Tell Me More brings fresh voices and perspectives to public radio. Visit the Tell Me More website for more detailed program information. NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Tell Me MoreThu, 08 Dec 2016 09:18:01 +0000Tell Me Morehttp://news.stlpublicradio.org
Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: So here we are. Finally, today we'd like to thank you for the time you've spent with us, the talents you've shared with us, the trust you've placed in us and even the treasure you've invested in this program, and in me, through your contributions to NPR.I'm taking a short break, but as we move forward here at NPR you can follow me on Twitter @nprmichel. That's spelled M-I-C-H-E-L, if you weren't sure, and NPRmichel on Facebook.Beginning in the fall, you'll hear me on NPR News programs and see me at live events across the country. I'll continue to listen to you about what's on your mind and what's affecting your world. Over these last seven years that we've spent together, we've dipped into thousands of important conversations taking place, in the corridors of power of course, but also in houses of worship, and barber shops and beauty shops, at PTA meetings, town halls and at the kitchen table. I've never forgotten that theBefore Final Sign Off, Michel Martin Challenges Listeners To 'Tell Me More'http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/final-sign-michel-martin-challenges-listeners-tell-me-more
38536 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgFri, 01 Aug 2014 16:46:00 +0000Before Final Sign Off, Michel Martin Challenges Listeners To 'Tell Me More'Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: And now, over the seven years we've been on the air, we've been lucky - very lucky - to have musicians, musical artists of all backgrounds and genres stop by to perform with us and chat with us in studio. Our guests today have been a very big part of our programming here at TELL ME MORE. The Marcus Johnson Trio actually surprised me at our first anniversary. I still don't quite know how they pulled that off. I don't know how you surprise people, with like, a baby grand piano - but they did it. And six years later, we were so glad that you could be with us once again to help us with this final program. So thank you so much for joining us. Marcus Johnson, thank you so much.MARCUS JOHNSON: Hey, thank you. Thank you for what you've done. I mean, and - we're going to miss you. And we'll do other things on the other side of the transition.MARTIN: Exactly. We'll do other things on the other side. And here's the great thing aboutMarcus Johnson Trio Offers A Musical Treat For TMM's Final Showhttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/marcus-johnson-trio-offers-musical-treat-tmms-final-show
38537 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgFri, 01 Aug 2014 16:46:00 +0000Marcus Johnson Trio Offers A Musical Treat For TMM's Final ShowCopyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. Now it's time for Faith Matters. That's another part of the program that listeners have told us they very much appreciate. That's where we talk about matters of faith, religion and spirituality.Today we hear from a trusted faith leader who we've turned to many times throughout the years - Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld. He is the Senior Rabbi of Ohev Sholom, The National Synagogue here in Washington, D.C. And for those interested, I do want to emphasize that we are speaking to Rabbi well in advance of the Sabbath. Thank you so much for joining us once again.SHMUEL HERZFELD: Thank you for having me.MARTIN: We do want to talk about transitions, but we cannot ignore the horrific violence in Israel and Palestine in the Palestinian territories. And it's been affecting many people here in this country and certainly sort of there. And many people have relatives in both places. And I justRabbi: During Transition, Look Back On Accomplishmentshttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/rabbi-during-transition-look-back-accomplishments
38538 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgFri, 01 Aug 2014 16:46:00 +0000Rabbi: During Transition, Look Back On AccomplishmentsCopyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: As we wind down this program, we're going back to some of the stories and guests that have fascinated us over the years. One of the stories that we've returned to again and again is the story of the immigrant experience. And over the years we've had many political debates about immigration, but we've also heard many moving stories told through first-hand accounts and literary works, films and music. Today we want to hear again from an artist who's telling the story of an African immigrant in the U.S. through hip-hop. He was born Samuel Bazawule in Ghana. He became with the Blitz the Ambassador in Brooklyn after a detour studying marketing of all things. His latest album, "Afropolitan Dreams," takes the listener through his story, starting with the arrival.(SOUNDBITE OF ALBUM, "AFROPOLITAN DREAMS")UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Now serving window number three. Welcome to the United States Immigration Center. Can I see your passport? GreenGhanaian Rapper Hopes To Take His 'Afropolitan Dreams' Back Homehttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/ghanaian-rapper-hopes-take-his-afropolitan-dreams-back-home
38499 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgThu, 31 Jul 2014 17:26:00 +0000Ghanaian Rapper Hopes To Take His 'Afropolitan Dreams' Back HomeCopyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: To a related story now. In the seven years that we've been on the air, we've reported on big changes in the lives of LGBT people in the U.S. Same-sex marriage is now legal in 20 states here in the U.S. The success of shows like "Modern Family" and "Orange Is The New Black" have brought gay characters and transgender characters into the spotlight. But we've also been paying close attention to movements opposing LGBT rights in other parts of the world. For example, Nigeria passed a law earlier this year that could mean 14-year prison terms for anybody in a same-sex union and 10 years for anybody who, quote, "promotes homosexuality," unquote.We've also reported on the atmosphere in places like Jamaica, where guests have told us that a hostile legal environment and a hostile cultural environment have put their lives at risk. We thought we'd check in on two of our international guests who helped us report on these issues. MauriceDespite Progress Of LGBT Rights In U.S., Challenges Remain Abroadhttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/despite-progress-lgbt-rights-us-challenges-remain-abroad
38500 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgThu, 31 Jul 2014 17:26:00 +0000Despite Progress Of LGBT Rights In U.S., Challenges Remain AbroadCopyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News.As we continue our focus on international news this hour, we go to Mexico. We have often turned to Alfredo Corchado to keep us up-to-date on our southern neighbor. He's lived and worked in Mexico for some 20 years now. He is the bureau chief for the Dallas Morning News and author of the memoir Midnight in Mexico. Recently though, he's been spending time at the Guatemala-Mexico border following the journey of would-be immigrants. He joins us now from Mexico.Welcome back, thank you so much for joining us.ALFREDO CORCHADO: Pleasure, Michel.MARTIN: Tell us about the recent trip that you took. What led you to it and what did you find there?CORCHADO: Well, I've been traveling for the last five days from the Guatemala-Mexico border, following the journey of the train known as The Beast. And this is the train that many of the poorest Central Americans use to come across theMexican Journalist Hopes His Reporting Can 'Bridge The Gap'http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/mexican-journalist-hopes-his-reporting-can-bridge-gap
38501 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgThu, 31 Jul 2014 17:26:00 +0000Mexican Journalist Hopes His Reporting Can 'Bridge The Gap'Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: I'm Michel Martin, and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. Now it's time for our visit to the Beauty Shop. That's where our panel of women journalists and commentators take a fresh cut on the week's news. Sitting in the chairs for a new do this week are Bridget Johnson. She's the Washington, D.C. editor of PJ Media. That's a conservative, libertarian news and commentary site. Writer Veronica Miller is a contributor for xoJane and thegrio.com. Viviana Hurtado is blogger-in-chief and founder of The Wise Latina Club. That's a Latina-focused website covering politics and lifestyle. And Danielle Belton is the creator of a pop-culture and politics blog, blacksnob.com. Welcome, everybody. Thank you for joining us.BRIDGET JOHNSON: Hello.VERONICA MILLER: Hi, Michel.VIVIANA HURTADO: Hey, Michel.DANIELLE BELTON: Thank you.MARTIN: So I thought I would pick up where Bernie Shaw just left off - kind of a bracing message for this hour of theBeauty Shop Ladies Weigh In On The Importance Of Mentorshttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/beauty-shop-ladies-weigh-importance-mentors
38469 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgWed, 30 Jul 2014 17:20:00 +0000Beauty Shop Ladies Weigh In On The Importance Of MentorsMichel MartinA very smart person I know, a long time civil rights activist, told me once that "gratitude is overrated."Now, I know that sounds harsh, but what I think she meant was that some people, especially, in her view, women, are too often too quick to settle for less than they deserve. She was talking about people who are so conditioned to have nothing, that they are just too happy when they get even a little.I understand what she was talking about. Really, I think what she was saying was, we need to keep our eye on the ball. Crumbs have their place, even delicious crumbs, but do not forget there is a whole pie out there somewhere. Well, that brings us to where we are: this is our last week on the air. A number of us are sticking around with the hope of bringing our sensibilities and our experiences and perspectives to other "platforms" as they say.As I said before when the decision to cancel Tell Me More was first announced: we do not love this decision. But we plan to make the best of itMaking Space For People Who Are Out Of the Spotlighthttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/making-space-people-who-are-out-spotlight
38467 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgWed, 30 Jul 2014 17:20:00 +0000Making Space For People Who Are Out Of the SpotlightWhen Searching For Mentors, Look 'Beyond Race'http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/when-searching-mentors-look-beyond-race
38468 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgWed, 30 Jul 2014 17:20:00 +0000When Searching For Mentors, Look 'Beyond Race'Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. We just heard from our go-to panel of dads. We are going to end today where we began, with our moms. In the past seven years - actually even before that when we started online as the Rough Cuts Podcast - anybody remember that? We've gotten their best advice on everything from multicultural Santa Clauses to confronting bullies to how to support a transgender child. We've talked about all kinds of child rearing philosophies from helicopter parenting to so-called free ranged parenting. And on occasion, they give big ups to old-school parenting - if you get my meaning. So how could we end without sampling their greatest hits and squeezing out a few more tips with Jolene Ivey. She's a Maryland state lawmaker and a mom of five and the cofounder of a parenting support group, the Mocha Moms. Leslie Morgan Steiner is with us. She's an author - most recently of "The Baby Chase"After 7 Years, Moms Panelists Share How They've Changedhttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/after-7-years-moms-panelists-share-how-theyve-changed
38438 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgTue, 29 Jul 2014 18:00:00 +0000After 7 Years, Moms Panelists Share How They've ChangedCopyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. As you probably know, this is our last week on the air and we decided to spend it speaking with some of our favorite guests from the past seven years. We're devoting much of today's program to parenting. We're hearing once more from the moms and dads who shared their trials and tribulations with us over the years. But first, we are going to get some mother wit and wisdom from poet Nikki Giovanni. She's joined us a number of time, over the years. Most recently, she spoke with us in May when her good friend, the legendary Maya Angelou, died.(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED BROADCAST)NIKKI GIOVANNI: Maya had an embrace of life. And it's rare. You know, even I - I like being alive - but even I don't come anywhere near just that joy that she brought.MARTIN: Today Nikki Giovanni is with us once again from Roanoke, Virginia. Welcome back. Thanks so much for joining us on this specialPoet Nikki Giovanni On Change: 'Approach It With A Smile'http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/poet-nikki-giovanni-change-approach-it-smile
38439 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgTue, 29 Jul 2014 18:00:00 +0000Poet Nikki Giovanni On Change: 'Approach It With A Smile'Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but maybe you just need a few moms and dads in your corner. Since this program began, our parenting roundtable, where we've consulted with a diverse group of parents, has been a signature of this program. Why? Because we think it's been helpful in a world that's more diverse than ever, more complicated than ever, to hear common sense advice from people with different backgrounds and perspectives. So, since this is our last week of production, we wanted to hear from our trusted contributors one last time in this venue, anyway. In a few minutes, we will hear from our group - we started with our panel of moms. But first, we wanted to hear from parents who say they've been left out of the conversation too long, and that is the dads. With us now are four of our go-to dad guests - Lester Spence, he's an associate professor ofWhere Do Dads Go For Parenting Advice?http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/where-do-dads-go-parenting-advice
38440 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgTue, 29 Jul 2014 18:00:00 +0000Where Do Dads Go For Parenting Advice?Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: Finally today it's time for the regular feature we call In Your Ear. These past few weeks we've been bringing you the favorite music of members of the TELL ME MORE team. Our next guest is not technically a member of our team, I guess you could say we're a member of his. We're talking about NPR's president and CEO, Jarl Mohn. You heard my conversation with him at the top of the program today as we said he's a longtime media executive including stints at MTV and VH1, but before that he was a DJ. So, you know we had to asked him what's on his playlist.JARL MOHN: Hi. This is Jarl Mohn, I'm the president and CEO of NPR and here are three tracks that are playing in my headphones these days.(SOUNDBITE OF FUTURE SONG, "LOOK AHEAD")MOHN: The first one is Future, hip-hop track "Look Ahead."(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "LOOK AHEAD")FUTURE: (Singing) Never sacrifice who you are. Never. Then you turn yourself into a star. Turn myself into an avatarNPR CEO Appreciates The Unique Sound Of Future's 'Look Ahead'http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/npr-ceo-appreciates-unique-sound-futures-look-ahead
38400 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgMon, 28 Jul 2014 16:22:00 +0000NPR CEO Appreciates The Unique Sound Of Future's 'Look Ahead'Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. As we begin our final week on the air, we are checking in with some of our favorite guests who've been on during the past seven years, and one of them is Iyanla Vanzant. She is a speaker and a spiritual advisor with a unique style. You can see her in action on a show called "Iyanla: Fix My Life." It's on the OWN Network. Here's a clip from a meeting she had with a crystal meth addict trying to recover.(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "IYANLA: FIX MY LIFE")IYANLA VANZANT: Anything that threatens, hinders, obstructs, denies, delays your capacity to stand fully up for yourself, within yourself, take it down. Now I'm willing to do that, are you? That would be a no.MARTIN: Wow. We've called upon Iyanla today, not so much to fix our lives, as to offer some wisdom on how to handle big life changes. We're going through a transition of our own here at TELL ME MORE. And we figure we'reIyanla Vanzant: Clarity, Forgiveness Key To Tackling Big Transitionshttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/iyanla-vanzant-clarity-forgiveness-key-tackling-big-transitions
38401 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgMon, 28 Jul 2014 16:22:00 +0000Iyanla Vanzant: Clarity, Forgiveness Key To Tackling Big TransitionsCopyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. Now we're going to talk about matters of personal finance as we have mentioned, this is the last week of our program and that means many of us are finding ourselves in transition. Some are going to new jobs here in this building, some are trying their hands at freelancing and while that's going on some are welcoming new family members. We figured we're not alone in this, so for our last Money Coach conversation, on this program anyway, we decided to gather some of the people who've been nice enough to give us some good advice over the years to talk about managing money during transitions. Joining us now are personal finance expert Louis Barajas with us from Irvine, California. From Cleveland, Plain Dealer consumer columnist Cheryl Harris. And Alvin Hall a financial educator, our original money coach, with us from New York City. Welcome everybody. Thanks so much forIn Times Of Transition, Get Practical About Your Finances http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/times-transition-get-practical-about-your-finances
38402 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgMon, 28 Jul 2014 16:22:00 +0000In Times Of Transition, Get Practical About Your Finances Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: I'm Michel Martin, and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. Now it's time for our weekly visit to the Barbershop, where the guys talk about what's in the news and what's on their minds. Sitting in the chairs for a shapeup this week, our writer, Jimi Izrael, with us from Cleveland. Lawyer and National Review contributor Mario Loyola is with us from Austin, Texas. In St. Louis, Christopher Ave, political editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and in our Washington, D.C. studios, contributing editor for The Root, Corey Dade. Take it away, Jimi.JIMI IZRAEL: Thanks, Michel. Super Mario, Ave - what's up, everybody?COREY DADE: Bittersweet, bittersweet, my friend.IZRAEL: Welcome to the shop. Yeah, no doubt. No doubt, but we're going to make it through, man.MARTIN: That's it. That's what's up. That's right.IZRAEL: Just the four of us, man. I got this shoulder right here for you, big brother.MARTIN: Hey, what am I, chopped liver - whatIn A Luxury Apartment, Is A Separate 'Poor Door' Segregation?http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/luxury-apartment-separate-poor-door-segregation
38351 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgFri, 25 Jul 2014 16:28:00 +0000In A Luxury Apartment, Is A Separate 'Poor Door' Segregation?Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: And now it's time for the regular feature we call In Your Ear. As we wind down production, you know our last show is August 1, we've been hearing the favorite music of the members of the TELL ME MORE team. In a few minutes, we're going to head into our Barbershop roundtable, and we're glad that fans of the Shop enjoy the conversation. But what you might not know is that there's a lot of work behind the scenes to make that happen. For some time now, producer Bridget De Chagas has been the unseen queen behind the scenes of the Barbershop, helping the guys select the topics and sharpen their arguments before they go on the air.As you might imagine, they can be quite a handful, so here are some of the songs that keep her energy up.BRIDGET DE CHAGAS, BYLINE: Hi, this is Bridget De Chagas. I am responsible for the Barbershop segment that you hear every Friday. It's been my signature segment, and sometimes people call me theRapping 'Ice Ice Baby,' TMM Producer Doesn't Miss A Beathttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/rapping-ice-ice-baby-tmm-producer-doesnt-miss-beat
38352 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgFri, 25 Jul 2014 16:28:00 +0000Rapping 'Ice Ice Baby,' TMM Producer Doesn't Miss A BeatCopyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. As the show approaches its final broadcast on August 1, we've been checking in with some of the many fascinating guests we've had on the program over the last seven years, especially people who are making transitions of their own. One of them is Beverly Daniel Tatum, the president of Spelman College - the oldest historically black college for women in the country. President Tatum announced earlier this month that she will retire from the post she's held for the past 12 years. During her time there she has broken new ground and not just for a historically black college. She's raised more than $157 million in a decade-long fundraising campaign, started a groundbreaking fitness initiative and Spelman's graduation rate has risen to 79 percent - the highest among HBCUs. The school was also named one of the 100 best liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report during herBefore Passing The Baton, Spelman President Reflects On Tough Choiceshttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/passing-baton-spelman-president-reflects-tough-choices
38353 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgFri, 25 Jul 2014 16:28:00 +0000Before Passing The Baton, Spelman President Reflects On Tough ChoicesCopyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: And from one legendary entertainment diva, to a diva in training; and why I say that will become clear in a moment. As we mentioned, our last broadcast is scheduled for August 1. So as we wind down production, we thought it would be nice to hear about the music that members of our staff are listening to as part of our regular series In Your Ear. And here's a little taste of what's on producer Bridget Armstrong - the diva in training - this is what's on her personal playlist.BRIDGET ARMSTRONG: Hi, I'm Bridget Armstrong. I'm TELL ME MORE's self-appointed pop culture expert. And here's what's playing in my ear.(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "CALL TYRONE")ERYKAH BADU: (Singing) Every time you come around. You got to bring Jim, James, Paul and Tyrone.ARMSTRONG: "Call Tyrone" by Erykah Badu. I love, love, love Erykah Badu, and "Call Tyrone" is actually my go-to karaoke song. I'm not really a great singer, but I have amazing stage presence.Erykah Badu's 'Tyrone' Gives TMM Producer Amazing Stage Presencehttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/erykah-badus-tyrone-gives-tmm-producer-amazing-stage-presence
38320 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgThu, 24 Jul 2014 16:23:00 +0000Erykah Badu's 'Tyrone' Gives TMM Producer Amazing Stage PresenceCopyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. We are continuing the conversation about race and color in show business, as we hear from a Hollywood pioneer - the legendary Rita Moreno. When she started her career in the 1940s, it seemed as though her Puerto Rican heritage would limit her career options. Nevertheless, she went on to become the only Hispanic and one of only a handful of people who've won all four of the entertainment industry's most prestigious awards - the Tony, the Oscar, the Grammy, and the Emmy. When we first went on the air in 2007, she was one of the first entertainment luminaries I interviewed for our Wisdom Watch segment - that's where we talk to people who've made an impact through their lives and work as she certainly has. We talked about those early days as a young Latina in Hollywood and her Oscar-winning role as Anita in the iconic 1961 film "West Side Story." But we started by talkingPerformer Rita Moreno's Famed Career Was 'Meant To Be' http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/performer-rita-morenos-famed-career-was-meant-be
38321 as http://news.stlpublicradio.orgThu, 24 Jul 2014 16:23:00 +0000Performer Rita Moreno's Famed Career Was 'Meant To Be'